Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes
Boy Overboard
Understand and appreciate dance as a means of communicating ideas
Student dance resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 5 and 6 dance
What will I learn?
You will:
describe a personal response to a dance work
perform with an awareness of storytelling
improvise using the elements of dance
reflect on your own activities as a dancer, composer and viewer of dance.
Welcome to the class
Duration: 00:34Before you begin
You will need:
a clear space to dance safely
a device to listen to the music and watch the performance
pen and paper for notes or access to software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides to record your answers.
Safety tips for online movement classes if you wish to participate
When you decide to take part in these activities you agree to the following:
You have been given approval from your parent/caregiver beforehand
You will clear a spot big enough to give you space to move around. Be sure there are no coffee tables, plants or chairs in the way.
Be aware of any pets or small humans that may sneak into your dance space.
Check the height of ceiling fans and light fittings so the area is clear as you reach above your head.
You will wear comfortable clothing that allows a full range of movement.
This will include appropriate footwear:
Sneakers, socks, ballet slippers, jazz shoes or bare feet.
You may have to adjust based on the flooring you are dancing on.
Bare feet may be better than ballet slippers on a slippery floor. Socks may be better on carpet.
Be careful if you are on a rug on a slippery floor.
If you have an injury or a medical condition please follow the advice of your health professional. It is suggested you view the exercises beforehand and adjust according to your limitations. Ask your parent/caregiver if you are unsure.
Please stay safe and listen carefully to all the instructions.
If you study dance, please think about your knowledge of safe dance practice as you execute the instructions.
- Describe
Boy Overboard tells the story of the adventures and hopes of Jamal and his little sister Bibi, refugees from Afghanistan. The children survive separation from their parents, storms, hunger and violent smugglers.
Watch this performance of 'Boy Overboard' from the 2019 State Dance FestivaI that was inspired by the book 'Boy Overboard' by Morris Gleitzman.
Describe your personal response to the dance work.
How did it make you feel?
What did it make you think?
How do these thoughts and feelings change during the different sections of the dance?
Don’t forget to include visual (things you see) and aural (things you hear) elements that support its meaning.
Don't forget about costumes, lighting, props and music.
State Dance Festival 2019 – Boy Overboard
Western Liverpool Community of Schools Ensemble – Choreographer: Charli WattsDuration: 04:372. Perform
Watch the excerpt of 'Boy Overboard'.
Describe what you think this movement sequence represents. Pay attention to the line of the arms and the effort of the actions as these help to communicate the idea to the audience.
Learn the movement sequence. You may need to slow the video down to learn the movement. If some of these movements are too difficult you could create your own movements to express the same ideas and feelings.
Perform the movement sequence.
Excerpt from Boy Overboard
Duration: 00:373. Improvise
Improvise movement using the elements of dance to create a movement sequence of your own that represents something about the sea.
Elements of dance:
space – shape (curved/straight)
level – (high/medium/low)
direction – (forward/backward/sideways/diagonal)
pathway – (zigzag/circular/straight)
time – tempo (fast/slow), accent/emphasis, stillness
dynamics – flowing/sharp/swinging/suspended/collapse.
Perhaps you could use a towel, sheet or some clothes to add to your dance and use a different section of the music from 'Boy Overboard'.
Do you want to create a rough or calm sea?
Share your sequence with your teacher.
4. Reflect
Write about what you have done today.
What did you enjoy most about watching the dance, trying to learn the sequence and creating your own dance?
What was the hardest part?
What did you learn?
Share your writing with your teacher.
You've finished this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class!
We hope you enjoyed watching the 'Boy Overboard' dance performance, and learning and improvising dance sequences.
